About us

The AVA is the peak professional organisation representing veterinary professionals and veterinary students across Australia. The AVA has been providing a united voice for the veterinary profession for over 100 years. AVA’s mission is to drive the success of the veterinary profession to benefit animals, the environment, the community, and our members.

Our national office is located in St. Leonards Sydney. For the right candidate, remote work will be considered.

Our members are experts in animal health and welfare and one of Australia’s most trusted and respected professions. Our organisation promotes and leads scientific progress and outcomes in the field of Veterinary Science.

About the opportunity

The AVA Executive Officer, Wellness is a full-time term contract for a period of up to 2 years. The role is responsible for the overseeing the development of programs, policies, and resources that promote the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of veterinary professionals.

This role will design and execute wellness campaigns providing ongoing support and communication of their impact to internal stakeholders and AVA members.

Occasional travel and additional reasonable hours may be required.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and execute AVA’s wellness policy, procedures, and campaigns on behalf of its members, in support of the association’s long-term strategy.
• Design and implement AVA’s wellness campaigns
• Oversee the development and implementation of wellness programs
• Organise the annual wellness calendar, ensuring all activities and programs are implemented consistently
• Review and evaluate new wellness initiatives to continually improve the suite of resources.
• Manage the AVA’s THRIVE website and the veterinary wellness steering committee.
• Develop and manage communication strategies for wellness initiatives, ensuring alignment with project deliverables.
• Communicate and promote the impact of AVA’s wellness initiatives to members, external audiences, and internal teams.
• Identify and generate new sources of income for wellness initiatives.
• Regularly assess the effectiveness of wellness programs through surveys, member feedback, and participation rates.
• Prepare reports for AVA Management and Board on wellness trends, program performance, and future recommendations
• Develop and implement annual business plans and monitor the financial performance of programs against budget.
• Coordinate committee and national meetings including preparing agendas, minutes, action lists as required.
• Coordinate national meetings e.g. THRIVE Veterinary Wellness Symposium.

About You

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, health promotion, human resources, or related field.
• Experience working in wellness programs, employee assistance programs, or mental health services.
• Strong understanding of mental health challenges, particularly in high-stress professional environments.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to handle sensitive issues with discretion and empathy.
• Familiarity with the veterinary industry or healthcare sector is highly desirable.
• Ability to develop and implement comprehensive wellness programs.
• Strong organisational skills with a focus on delivering practical, member-centred solutions.
• Ability to build positive relationships with members, external stakeholders, and wellness professionals.
• Ability to effectively engage with and present to a variety of stakeholders including members and industry.
• Good financial and commercial acumen with demonstrated ability to build, manage and achieve budgets.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and produce work to a very high standard within very demanding time-frames.
• Proven ability to influence and provide a very high level of executive support to the committees and groups.

Why you should work with AVA

• Flexible hybrid working conditions including work from home
• Collaborative, fun and supportive team

Visit our website for more information on the AVA.

If you are confident that your skills and experience satisfy the above criteria and you are interested in working for a highly respected organisation, please apply by submitting your resume, a covering letter addressing your suitability and the criteria outlined in the advertisement.

Please note that only candidates successful in gaining an interview will be contacted.

No agencies please.